The climate crisis, living sustainably, and connecting with our natural environment must all become key features of the curriculum we teach. As educators, we play a vital role in helping to create a better, greener world.
Some subjects naturally lend themselves to climate education, and feature explicitly on the curriculum – understanding our changing climate and weather patterns in geography, for example, or learning about aspects of the climate and ecosystems in science. But what about maths?
The subject of mathematics, developed over centuries, is a creative and highly inter-connected branch of learning that has delivered solutions to some of history’s most intriguing problems. Maths provides a groundwork for understanding the world, and appreciating the beauty and power of mathematics can help students deepen their enjoyment and curiosity about the world around them.
This article will explore some of the ways we are embedding climate education within our maths lessons at The Chase Secondary School in Malvern, and suggest further ideas about how we can help pupils – and staff – celebrate and deepen our relationship with the natural world around us.
Is Maths Even Real?